The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
AN UNCOMMON MISTAKE
/ Summer Sensation.
BY FREEMAN ASHLEY.

Unexpectedly Mr.. James Welland, veteran
merchant of New York, found himself called to
Chicago on business. While there, an intimate
friend of some prominence in social circles, in
vited him to large party given in honor of a
young lady from the Pacific coast He had no
sooner entered the crowded rooms than he fell
in with young Fred Predmore, the son of
valued crony, who mad just embarked in pros
porous business IN Chicago. Through CONNER
cial transactions Wehand and Predmore had
been brought into intimate relations, and, not
withstanding the disparity in their ages, had
become quite friendly.
AS soon as they had exchanged cordial greet
ines. Welland. aware of some of Predmore's
peculiarties. said:
How does it happen that you are floating
about in this whirlpool of beautyl Thawing out,
are you7s
whirlpool hits it exactly" was the sarcastic
reply. zone might as we'll attempt to stem
Niagara as to attempt to resist the currents Of
this city. II lady commands your presence.
neither things past. present nor to come can be
pleaded in excuse for absence. Mrs. Belden sum-
moned me, and came, knowing full well that
il declined should lose one of my best Gus
TONERS, for that is the sort of thumbscrew they
use here to bring social heretics to terms. But
am glad came since'I have the pleasure of
meeting you"
Predmore came Of one of the old, staid fami-
lies Of Philadelphia. and, though only twenty
i've years of age. was precocously old and odd.
The social atmosphere of Chicago was perpet-
ual surprise to him. and was continually playing
the earthquake with all his traditional notions
Of society. He was chronically averse to society
excitements, and bit of cynic in. his estimates
Of the fair sex. Being handsome, well-to do
and we'll educated, he was esteemed drawing
room card of considerable value, and, in conse-
quence, was much sought after. And there is
no denying the fact that many silken webs were
spun to draw him into the closer intimacies Of
feminine associations He had, however. proved
to be too strong a fly to be easily handled, and
At the date we end him was gloriously free from
al entangements.
Catching at the thumbscrew sarcasm, and
speaking like the man of the world that he was.
Welland said:
"Why, Predmore, if were doing business in
this city would only be too glad to advance my
prospects by such means as these. especially if
4
beauty blind to De indifferent to such galaxy
of fair ones as shines here tonight"
At this moment Predmore's attention was sud
denly absorbed in another direction, and he very
irrelevantly exclaimed:
well, now! there is girl that is really
worth looking at"
Mr.. Welland was so taken aback by the inse-
quence of the remark that he was speeches. for
a moment and looked ont in the direction of the
hill liam ding he drayr
if he could discover the object of his friends
admiration.
.You are beauty blind. in spite of your elo-
quence." said Predmore, as he observed the fail
ure of his friend to locate the lady to- whom he
referred Cant you her when almost
everyone in the room is looking at herl' he
tnued. ''Sne stands over there where that
statuette of Psyche is niched in the wall"
'.Ah, have her, thank you: that one dressed
in sky-blue; she is quite beautiful and that
dress Incomes her. too," replied Welland, with
quizzical look in his eye and peculiar smile
playing around the corners of his mouth.
'Oh. no, not that one" said Pr-dmore with
impatence piqued by the tone of his friend and
puzzled by his manner. Il hate blue worse than
! do chrome yellow. It's the other one standing
by her side, that mean; the one in that creamy
white silk. Her head sets on her neck like a
rose on its stem, and her movements remind one
of a spray of the aspen when touched by the
wind. She is exotic to this region; such lily as
that doesn't grow in this latitude, can assure
you"
His rhapsody was suddenly arrested by a
smothered laugh on the part of his companion,
& who appeared 20 be in imminent danger of chok-
Ing from his endeavors to keep himself within
the bounds of drawng-room propriety. 'Why,
bless you. Predmore' he said. as soon as he
could get his breath. didn't you know that that
ls my daughter? l meant to have told you that
vhe came on with me. and that she was here
With me- but you we're so Blue Beardish In your
disposition that had about made up my mind
10 keep her clear of you"
Predmore pulled at his mustache in dismay.
and was disconnected that it was some me-
ments before he mustered courage to say:
swell, that is the narrowest escape l ever had
In my life What if the other one had been
-FOUR daughter2'
"But she isn't and that settles that" inter
rupted Welland, secretly pleased with the i'm
preston his daughter had made upon the impas-
tive young man. But let me tell you" he add
I'd, the girl in blue is not to be despised; know
ner quite we'll Though celestially blue, she
lakes very terrestrial views of life. and, what is
better still, has money enouge to ballast the
fortunes of anyone who may be lucky enough ia
become her husband. But come along. and
will introduce you to both of them, as see they
have discovered u.s."
IF my impudence has not made me inelgi
BILE" said Predmore, but for heavens sake
don't expose my indiscretions to them; they
would not like to think that they were the sub
ject of remark"
LAS if they didn't como to such a place as this
to be talked about" half growled Welland
"What is society but talking match, anyway
AS soon as the introduction was accom- plshed
Mr.. Welland left Predmore in the company oil
the young ladies.
Miss Priscilla Fennimore was by no means
uncomely. but there was a degree of assurance
about her that was not diminished by the con
seriousness that she was reputed TO be the bell,
OF Wabash avenue Being a brilliant converse
tionalist. she Immediately began to let off he
blue lights and skyrockets. She was sufficient,
acute in her judgment. however, to perceive thu
she did not dazzle her acquaintance, anC
being sensible withal. she walked away with
bufly Milwaukee Observation-Disclosures who haC
sailed up under her lee. She mentally declared
that Mr. Predmore was either very reserved o.
very stupid. and that it was no, worth her Will,
to waste her precious smiles upon him.
AS Vesper Welland was the daughter of hi:
friend Predmore felt in duty bound to do h
best to entertain her. He blossomed in man
could she have witnessed it. Miss Wellaud hat
heard her father speak in complimentary term
OF Mr.. Predmore, and therefore she did not fee
rs II she were in the presence OF an entire stran
ger, and while her native modesty softened he
demesnor, there was delicate freedom in he
conversation which increased her attractiyeness
Airy nothings passed between them, bat Their
was keystone of sympathy that united then
into bridge over the escarpment of which Cupi,
looked down with interested eyes
Now that Predmore near her, he coul,
not help noticing that her eyes were deep blue
her hair golden brown and her face marvel o
symmetry and refinement. while her voice. as